Michael Althib

5 February 2018
Intro. To The Liturgy
Fr. Aziz Halaweh
Bells
The first use of the word “Liturgy” as the rites and practices of
the Church’s worship is found in the 20th century. There have been
many other names before it e.g. “De Divinis Officiis, De Ecclesiasticis
Officiis, etc.” The Greek word leturgia is translated in many different
ways by many different people, each one giving his own interpretation.
Bells have been in use since before the 6th century, but were
not commonly used. They were used to wake or call religious to their
liturgical services. The shape and sizes of the bells have grown
throughout the years. The casting of the bells soon became an art to
produce a variety of tones.
The main use of bells was the indication that an event will
begin. There was a need for this practice especially before watches or
clocks were around to tell time. After the 13th century came a new
practice of using small bells to make the faith aware of the
Consecration and Communion during mass.
Bells were also used to remind the faithful of the practices like
the angelus and evening prayer. Also it is used to signal the death of a
person or other related occasion. In the 15th century chimes were
invented in Flanders. Chimes consist of bells of various sizes that can
range between five or six octaves.
Church bells should only be used for ecclesiastical use unless
in case of an emergency, and they can be used to benefit the
community. Church law sees that the bells used in church should be
blessed and consecrated according to liturgical rites. So this makes the
ringing of bells a sacramental by which the faithful seek protection
from God.
The small bells may be rung three times during mass, before
the consecration, signaling the people, and at the two elevations. To
venerate the passion of Christ the bells should not be rung from the
Gloria on Holy Thursday till Gloria on Holy Saturday.